Archive for the ‘Uncategorized’ Category
Superpod today, well almost
Today K pod made a showing for the first time this season on the west side of San Juan Island, along with J pod and some of L pod. 85% of the resident orca are back in the islands, a very comforting feeling.
Happy Birthday Granny!
We saw J-2 today, also known as Granny. This year, 2010, she is estimated to be 100 years old. And still going strong I might add. Happy Birthday Granny!!
They’re Baaaaaack!
J and L pod are coming in towards the islands from the Pacific as I write this. Yeah!!!!!
T40 in Westsound
What a surprise to meet up with T40, T86A and her offspring off of the Shaw Island ferry dock. T-40 also known as Captain Hook has been around for quite a while. Notice from the photo the distinctive dorsal fin, very broad at the base and bent on the top. He’s one of the transients that can be out for the area for years only to make an appearance and be gone again. They came through Deer Harbor later in the evening.
L pod was here yesterday.
Well, L pod was here yesterday and gone today, already heading west out the Juan DeFuca Strait. It’s kind of early to see L pod and in good sighting days they usually don’t stick around long so for them to come and go like this is not uncommon. Today we did manage to have seven transients cruising up the west side of San Juan Island heading north.
J POD IS BACK!!!
I look forward to that heading in the subject line every Spring. Today we had J pod coming east from Victoria and points west heading at speed for the islands. Hopefully all of the J’s are present and accounted for and that there will be enough salmon here to keep them around and well fed for months to come.
Great photo of our boat and a transient orca after a sea lion.
Thank you Jeff from Emerald Seas Whale Watching for sending me this great photo.
Transient orcas attack gray whale
This happened today off Whidbey Island. Sounds like the gray whale swam off after the attack but it is yet to be seen if she will survive the attack. Orca attack gray whales, minke whales, even blue whales but to see that here in the islands is extremely rare. This is the same small pod of transient orca I had yesterday who had taken down a Steller sea lion earlier in the day.
www.king5.com
Whale watchers caught a rare sight on Sunday. They saw a pod of transient Orcas attack a gray whale.
Transient orca whales sighted today
Great transient orca sightings today on our trip. I am always grateful for whales this time of year and to see these transients with myself and only one other boat near by, I couldn’t have asked for a better day.
We had a professional photographer on board today and he will be posting photos on his website. I’ll post his site when I hear back from him that he downloaded the photos and they’re up for viewing.
Guaranteed whale Sightings. What a sham!
A small whale watch business here on the island has started advertising guaranteed sightings or your money back. I can’t tell you how deceptive that kind of advertising is and one that some of us will never resort to.
If anyone guarantees sightings it is only a way to sell you a ticket on their boat. ALL of the whale watch companies know where the whales are or aren’t. It is not a secret the one company has over the other. We all belong to a whale spotting network which comprises all of the whale watch companies working together. When one company sights a whale he/she lets all of the other companies know. The reason for this is that years ago we knew that the more people to see and orca whale, especially our southern resident whales, the better for the whales, because by seeing a whale in the wild, and being educated on what you are seeing, the public would want to know more and become involved with the whale’s well being and future. So now a company that offer guaranteed sightings is using that to lure you on the boat offering a free trip if you do not see a whale.
Go with a company that has a long and strong track record. We tell you ahead of time what the sightings are like. If there are no whales that day, you can opt out or come along for a cruise that won’t disappoint you. I can’t tell you how many times we have left the dock without a sighting only to get a report of whales. Don’t be fooled by hungary operators.
Also, while I’m at it, don’t listen to a company that tells you they see more whales than anyone else. Give me a break!
And Yet Another New Born, this time in L pod
L pod, as well as J and K pod, showed up on Sunday along the west side of San Juan Island and another new born was spotted. The mom appears to be L-77, Matia born in 1987. This is Matia’s first calf. Very exciting to see this baby boom going on.
